Necktie knot forming device



NOV. 30, 1965 H, AN ER ETAL 3,220,015

NECKTIE KNOT FORMING DEVICE Filed Feb. 10, 1965 Taql.

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,220,015 NECKTIE KNOT FORMING DEVICEHarry Kanter, 535 E. 86th St., New York, N.Y., and Robert Kallman, 612Forest Hills Drive, Wilmington, N.C.

Filed Feb. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 431,594 4 Claims. (Cl. 2153) Thisapplication is a continuation in part of our application Serial No.416,461 filed Dec. 7, 1964.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in articles ofneckwear and it relates more particularly to an improved necktie of thepretied type which is provided with fastening means permitting itsreleasable attachment to a collar neckband or the like.

As stated in our prior application, the proper tying of a knot in anecktie around the neck of a wearer is not only frequentlytime-consuming, but requires a high degree skill which is often lackingin many wearers of neckties. It has accordingly been a common practiceto provide neckties with a preformed knot and fastening means forreleasably attaching the pretied necktie to the collar of the shirt onthe wearer thereof. A type of pretied necktie is described in US.Patents No. 2,798,226 granted-July 9, 1957 and No. 2,972,750 grantedFeb. 28, 1961 to H. Kanter and although the devices disclosed thereinare highly satisfactory, they possess certain drawbacks which limit thescope of their application. Some drawbacks of the pretied necktiesdescribed in the aforesaid patents are obviated by the pretied necktiedescribed in the above co-pending patent application. The present devicefurther improves the necktie in effectively minimizing the visibility ofthe attaching units when positioned on the collar, and also minimizingany undue pressure of the attaching unit on the neck of the wearer withthe consequent elimination of discomfort.

The improved device also provides a knot of more natural appearance.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to providean improved article of neckwear of the above preknotted or pretied type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedpretied necktie in which the support and knot former member issubstantially invisible when in use,

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedpretied necktie which may be worn with a .maximum of comfort.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide animproved pretied necktie which may be easily secured in its assembledcondition and which simultaneously therewith provides a more naturallooking, less rigid appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of theabove nature characterized by its versatility, adaptability, ruggedness,low cost and ease, convenience and comfort of use.

The above and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent from a reading of the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side view in perspective showing a pretiednecktie embodying the present invention illustrated in position on thecollar of the shirt of a wearer;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the necktie knot form andsupport device embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof;

3,220,015 Patented Nov. 30, 1965 ice FIGURE 6 is a rear fragmentaryperspective view of the assembled necktie; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the necktie formand support device.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a pretiednecktie comprising a former member including a pair of laterallyextending wing members, a fastening assembly mounted on said formermember and including a rearwardly directed post, a necktie knotted aboutsaid former member and including sections traversing the rear facethereof, and a fastening element mounted on said post and engaging saidnecktie to secure said necktie to said former member. Another importantfeature of the present invention resides in the provision of a supportand former device for pretied neckties in which the former memberincludes symmetrically disposed wing elements directed rearwardly from amedial axis and in which the fastening assembly includes a rearwardlydirected pintle medially mounted at the lower part of said former memberand projecting rearwardly and upwardly therefrom, a locking arm hingedadjacent its upper end to the upper part of said former member andswingable about a transverse axis substantially into and out ofengagement with the rear of said pintle, and spring means urging saidlocking arm toward said pintle engaging position.

According to a preferred form of the present device, there is provided asupport frame which includes a vertical support arm of resilientmaterial having a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slits formed inthe upper part thereof to delineate a pair of outer legs and an innerleg, the outer legs terminating in rearwardly facing knuckles, and theinner leg in a forwardly facing knuckle. A locking arm is disposedrearwardly of the support arm and terminates at its upper part in across bar which registers with the knuckles to spring them apart to beurged in turn alternatively to a depending or latch position, and to arearwardly projecting or unlatch position. A post having a tapped axialbore is mounted at the bottom of the support arm and projects rearwardlyupwardly therefrom and a pintle provided with a threaded shank engagesthe tapped bore whereby to permit the adjustment of the latch positionof the locking arm. A V- shaped support member formed of a handdeformable material which substantially retains its deformed shape issecured at its apex to the lower part of the support arm at the level ofthe threaded post and includes upwardly diverging and rearwardlyinclined support arms which are readily bendable relative to each other.A knot former includes laterally projecting wings secured to thedeformable support arms and are deformable therewith, the former Wingshaving side edges which converge downwardly to the apex of the supportmember and having a medial vertical recess formed in its upper partwhich registers with the knuckle supporting intermediate leg. A necktieis knotted about the former and includes a pair of overlapping sectionstraversing the rear face of the former member and crossing each otherdirectly above the post, A speed nut engages the post and bears on thelower borders of the crossing tie sections to fasten the tie to theformer member, such fastening occurring at one point only and allowingsuch borders to otherwise assume a free and unsecured relationshipwhich'results in a most pleasing knot appearance. v

Referring now to the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the reference numeral 10 generally designates thepretied or preknotted tie which is illustrated as attached to-the bandof a collar 11 of a shirt 12 on a wearer W. The knot K of the tie 10 isformed on and supportedand releasably attached to the neck band by animproved tie or knot former and support device 13 constructed inaccordance with the present invention. The device 13 comprises a knotformer and support member 14, a frame member 16, and a fastening orattaching assembly 17.

The former member 14 is formed of resilient pliable material,advantageously of a relatively heavy sheet of a synthetic organicpolymer such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, which is easilyhand deform able and is of approximately triangular configuration with abottom medially located downwardly rearwardly inclined apex 18, and apair of laterally rearwardly directed wings 19 symmetric to the verticalmedial axis of the former member 14. The side edges 2% of the formermember converge downwardly to the apex 18 and the upper edges 21 thereofare substantially horizontal or outwardly downwardly inclined. A shallowrelatively wide first recess 22 is medially formed in the upper edge 21and a deep relatively narrow recess 23 is medially formed in the baseedge of the recess 22. A pair of laterally spaced first anchoringapertures 24 are formed in the wings 19 and a second anchoring aperture26 is located along the former medial axis shortly below the upper edgeof the apex section 18.

The frame 16 is substantially V shaped, having a bottom downwardlyrearwardly inclined apex or crotch section 27 and rearwardly extendingupwardly diverging legs 28. It is important to note that the frame 16 isso dimensioned and formed of a material which permits the easydeformation of the legs 28 preferably relative to each other about thevertical medial axis of the frame 16, the frame 16 retaining itsdeformed shape. The frame 16 may be stamped of soft brass, soft steel orother suitable advantageously metal material possessing the aboveproperties.

The frame 16 is symmetrically located relative to and is superimposed onthe rear face of the former member 14 with the apex 27 substantiallyoverlying the apex 18 and provided with an aperture 29 which is coaxialwith the aperture 26. Fastening tongues 30 are formed on and directedrearwardly from the frame legs 28 through corresponding apertures 24 andare folded over to firmly engage the former wings 19 and secure them tocorresponding frame legs 28. The attaching assembly 17 includes anupright arm 32 formed of resilient sheet metal and medially disposedalong the front face of the former member 14. The bottom of the arm 32is tapered to a downwardly rearwardly inclined apex 33 whichsubstantially overlies the front face of the apex 27 and is providedwith an aperture 34 which is coaxial with the apertures 26 and 29. Apost 36 is provided at its forward end with a cylindrical shank 37 ofreduced cross-section which engages the apertures 26, 29 and 34 and isdelineated from the post 36 by a peripheral flange 35 and has its endface upset or swaged to an expanded head 38 to embrace and firmly securethe arm 32, former member 14 and frame 16 between the head 38 and theflange 35.

The post 36 projects rearwardly upwardly from the arm 32 substantiallyperpendicular to the apex sections 27, 18 and 33 and is provided with atapped axial bore. An abutment member or pintle 40 includes an endthreaded shank 39 which engages the tapped axial bore :and terminates inan enlarged head 41 provided with a :rearwardly facing arcuate end face.Thus, the pintle 40 may be axially adjusted along the post 36 by turning'the pintle 45). The adjustable outward spacing of pin tle 40 causes thetie knot to become elevated or more horizontal, thus improving itsappearance.

The upper part of the arm 32 is provided with a pair of laterally spacedvertical slits which divides the arm upper section into a pair ofupwardly directed laterally spaced resilient outer legs 42 and an innerresilient leg 43 intermediate the legs 42, the leg 43 being forwardlysprung and registering with the former recess 23.. The

legs 42 terminate at their upper free ends in rearwardly facing knuckledefining crotch sections 44, and in a forwardly facing knuckle definingcrotch section 46.

Swingably supported by the knuckles or crotch sections 44 and 46 andcooperating with the pintle 49 to define a fastening device is a lockingarm 47 com-prising an elongated leg 48 including an upper section 49having downwardly diverging side edges and an enlarged lower end section50, which is downwardly forwardly inclined relative to the upper section49 and has a curved bottom edge. Integrally formed with and directedforwardly from the upper end of the leg 48 is a curved upwardly convexarm 51 which terminates in a pintle defining rectangularshapecl flatcross-bar 53, which is engaged by and between the knuckles 44 and 46.The locking arm 47 is swingable between a latch position in which theleg section 50is resiliently maintained in engagement with the pintlehead 41 by reason of the resilient arm 43 bearing upon the lower edge ofthe cross bar 53 and the knuckles 44 hearing on the upper edge thereof,and an unlatch position, as seen in FIGURE 5, with the locking arm 47being in a raised rearwardly directed position and releasably maintainedtherein by the opposite edges of the cross bar 53 registering with thebases of the knuckles 44 and 46.

It is important to observe that the locking arm 47 may be, and is,diminished in length because of the upward tilt of post 36. Thisshortness of locking arm 47 is important because it avoids digging intothe users neck, which, of course, should be avoided where possible.

The tie T which is shorter than the conventional necktie, is laced aboutthe former member 14 to form a knot K in the well known manner asdescribed in the above identified Kanter patents. The tie T may, ifdesired, be provided with suitably spaced apertures to facilitate itsknotting on the former member without impeding the locking assembly. Theknot K includes a pair of angularly related overlapping sections 54 and56 which traverse the rear face of the former member 14 and extend fromthe upper edge thereof. The inner edges of the overlapping sections54and 56 intersect at a point directlyabove the post 36 and embrace thesides of the post. A push-on speed nut 58 engages the post 36 and ispressed in any suitable manner into tight engagement with the rearborders of the tie sections 54 and 56 to tightly retain them in asandwiched position between the flange 35 and the speed nut 58 andfirmly secure the knot K and the device 13 in an assembled condition.The aforesaid assembly procedure is simple, rapid and highly reliable.

Moreover, it is important to note that the knot sections 54 and 56 areinter-engaged by the speed nut 58 at the bottom rear of the formermember and of the knot K, per se, leaving the remainder of the knot,that is the upper portion thereof, free to assume an equilibriumposition which is of a soft attractive appearance. The speednut 58 isconventional, comprising as it does a normally slightly concave-convexdisk having a diamond-like opening defined by opposing gripping armswhich bite against the post 36.

The pretied necktie is attached to the collar by opening the locking arm47 inserting it behind the neckband and snapping it to its lock positionto embrace the neckband between the pintle head 41 and the leg section50. The specified angular relationship between the pintle 40 and theformer and support member assembly affords a novel and superiorarrangement which is characterized by its ruggedness and compactness,ease of applications, being substantially out of view. in use, and byits high comfort and convenience.

While there has been described and illustrated a pre ferred embodimentof the present invention it is apparent that numerous alterations,omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A pretied necktie comprising a former member including a pair oflaterally extending wing members, a fastening assembly mounted on saidformer member and including a post directed rearwardly from the lowerpart of said former member, a necktie knotted about said former memberand including angularly related overlapping sections providingintersecting borders traversing the rear face of said former member andhaving lower edges intersecting at a point directly above said post, anda speed nut engaging said post and bearing on the intersecting bordersof said tie sections to clamp said borders between the confronting facesof said nut and said former member, said intersecting borders beingotherwise substantially free of each other.

2. A pretied necktie comprising a former member including a pair oflaterally extending wing members and having side edges convergingdownwardly to a bottom downwardly rearwardly inclined apex section, afastening assembly mounted on said former member and including aninclined post directed upwardly and rearwardly from said apex sectionand a locking arm hinged adjacent its upper end to the upper part ofsaid former member and swingable about a transverse axis toward and awayfrom the rear of said post, a necktie knotted about said former memberand including angularly related overlapping sections traversing the rearface of said former member and having lower edges intersecting at apoint directly above said post, and a speed nut engaging said post andbearing on the intersecting edges of said tie sections to clamp saidedges between the confronting faces of said nut and said former member,said intersecting edges being otherwise substantially free of eachother.

3. A support and former device for pretied neckties comprising a formermember including symmetrically disposed wing elements directedrearwardly from a medial axis and having oppositely downwardlyconverging side edges, a fastening assembly including a post having atapped axial bore medially mounted at the lower part of said formermember and projecting rearwardly and upwardly therefrom, a pintleco-axial with said post and having a threaded shank engaging said tappedbore, a locking arm hinged adjacent its upper end to the upper part ofsaid former member and swingable about a transverse axis between a latchand unlatch position substantially in and out of engagement respectivelywith the rear of said pintle, and spring means alternatively urging saidlocking arm to said latch and unlatch positions.

4. The support and former device of claim 3 including a speed nutengaging said post.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,112,437 3/1938Clark 2-154 2,133,296 10/1938 Holzknecht 2153 2,798,266 7/1957 Kanter2153 2,972,750 2/1961 Kanter 2153 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,864 6/ 1928Australia.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

1. A PRETIED NECKTIE COMPRISING A FORMER MEMBER INCLUDING A PAIR OFLATERALLY EXTENDING WING MEMBERS, A FASTENING ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAIDFORMER MEMBER AND INCLUDING A POST DIRECTED REARWARDLY FROM THE LOWERPART OF SAID FORMER MEMBER, A NECKTIE KNOTTED ABOUT SAID FORMER MEMBERAND INCLUDIKNG ANGULARLY RELATED OVERLAPPING SECTIONS PROVIDINGINTERSECTING BORDERS TRAVERSING THE REAR FACE OF SAID FORMER MEMBER ANDHAVING LOWER EDGES INTERSECTING AT A POINT DIRECTLY ABOVE SAID POST, ANDA SPEED NUT ENGAGING SAID POST AND BEARING ON THE INTERSECTING BORDERSOF SAID TIE SECTIONS TO CLAMP SAID BORDERS BETWEEN THE CONFRONTING FACESOF SAID NUT AND SAID FORMER MEMBER, SAID INTERSECTING BORDERS BEINGOTHERWISE SUBSTANTIALLY FREE OF EACH OTHER.